Classical Concert Reviews Cinci

@uc_ccm’s Philharmonia opened its 2025-26 concert season with a program under the title “Bienvenuto in Italia!”, featuring music by three of the most prominent 19th-century Italian opera composers coupled with two orchestral masterpieces of the 20th century.
Following a scintillating reading of the overture to Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma, the orchestra followed with a half-dozen of some of the most popular arias in the repertoire, sung by CCM alumni and voice faculty who have achieved international renown in the last decade or more. Highlights included luminous performances of Puccini’s “Chi il sogno di Doretta” and the final trio from Act 1 of Norma. Soprano Amanda Woodbury possessed a well—rounded, gracious and supple voice well-suited for these selections. Mezzo-soprano Sahoko Timpone had a decidedly smokier voice but one not lacking in any dramatic heft. Tenor M. Andrew Jones brought a ringing, clear sound to his selections reminiscent of greats like Pavarotti and Domingo.
The Philharmonia then gave a wonderfully atmospheric performance of Ottorino Respighi’s tone poem Fountains of Rome, the first of his Roman Trilogy of orchestral works written in 1916; praise goes in particular to the brass; solo cello and violin, two harps, percussion and organ. Edward Elgar’s 1904 tone poem In the South (Alassio) ended the concert spectacularly. While performed less frequently today than many of Elgar’s other works, it is a real treat that a student orchestra of this caliber could execute Elgar’s demands on its musicians flawlessly. This was especially the strings (including a gorgeous solo viola) and winds. “The greatest tone poem Richard Strauss never wrote” feels more than applicable here.
Looking forward to more great music from this ensemble in October as they tackle Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 5.